The writings of the Apostolic FathersClement I, Pope
General
The writings of the Apostolic Fathers
Clement I, Pope
Apostolic Fathers; Christian literature, Early
I do not issue orders to you, as if I were some great person. For though
I am bound for His name, I am not yet perfect in Jesus Christ. For now I
begin to be a disciple, and I speak to you as my fellow-servants. For it
was needful for me to have been admonished by you in faith, exhortation,
patience, and long-suffering. But inasmuch as love suffers me not to be
silent in regard to you, I have therefore taken[768] upon me first to
exhort you that ye would run together in accordance with the will of
God. For even Jesus Christ does all things according to the will of the
Father, as He Himself declares in a certain place, “I do always those
things that please Him.”[769] Wherefore it behoves us also to live
according to the will of God in Christ, and to imitate Him as Paul did.
For, says he, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”[770]
CHAP. IV.—_The same continued._
SHORTER.
Wherefore it is fitting that ye should run together in accordance with
the will of your bishop, which thing also ye do. For your
justly-renowned presbytery, worthy of God, is fitted as exactly to the
bishop as the strings are to the harp. Therefore in your concord and
harmonious love, Jesus Christ is sung. And do ye, man by man, become a
choir, that being harmonious in love, and taking up the song of God in
unison, ye may with one voice sing to the Father through Jesus Christ,
so that He may both hear you, and perceive by your works that ye are
indeed the members of His Son. It is profitable, therefore, that you
should live in an unblameable unity, that thus ye may always enjoy
communion with God.
LONGER.
Wherefore it is fitting that ye also should run together in accordance
with the will of the bishop who by God’s appointment[771] rules over
you. Which thing ye indeed of yourselves do, being instructed by the
Spirit. For your justly-renowned presbytery, being worthy of God, is
fitted as exactly to the bishop as the strings are to the harp. Thus,
being joined together in concord and harmonious love, of which Jesus
Christ is the Captain and Guardian, do ye, man by man, become but one
choir; so that, agreeing together in concord, and obtaining[772] a
perfect unity with God, ye may indeed be one in harmonious feeling with
God the Father, and His beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord. For, says He,
“Grant unto them, Holy Father, that as I and Thou are one, they also may
be one in us.”[773] It is therefore profitable that you, being joined
together with God in an unblameable unity, should be the followers of
the example of Christ, of whom also ye are members.
CHAP. V.—_The praise of unity._
SHORTER.
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